KLM to Fly to Use Biofuels in LA

Joanna Schroeder September 13, 2016

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be using biofuels in the Los Angeles Airport. The company has signed a three-year contract with AltAir Fuels, who produces the ASTM approved fuel from used cooking oil and is the first biofuels company that continuously produces aviation biofuel for commercial use. The biofuels will be supplied by SkyRNG. Earlier this year, KLM signed on to a similar biofuel initiative in Oslo, Norway. Participants in the biofuels program, such as KLM, pay a surcharge that covers the price difference between the biofuel and regular jet fuel. According to KLM, this not only sets an example, but actively helps make air transportation more sustainable.

“Sustainable biofuel is currently one of the most effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions in the airline industry,” said KLM President and CEO Pieter Elbers. “Owing partly to the companies taking part in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme, we have been able to take this step, giving a further impulse to the consistent production of biofuel.”

According to a press release, the biofuel is pumped directly into the airport fuel reservoirs, which also hold the airport’s conventional kerosene supply. This implies the biofuel is pumped into aircrafts that are refueled in Los Angeles. In this way, biofuel contributes to reducing CO2 emissions from all flights taking off from Los Angeles.

Bryan Sherbacow, president of AltAir Fuels, said, “KLM’s multiyear biofuel offtake is a real milestone for the industry and shows their commitment to making aviation more sustainable. We’re proud to supply them together with our project partner SkyNRG.”

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, biojet fuel

#Propane Celebrates 5 Years of Farm Incentives

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2016

After five years of applied research through the Propane Farm Incentive Program, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has some good data to back up the benefits for farmers switching to propane equipment in higher performance, improved efficiency, and significant cost savings. Over 400 producers from 32 states have participated in PERC’s incentive program over the last five years.

Since 2011, the Propane Farm Incentive has offered program participants a financial incentive in exchange for real-world performance data and experience testing the performance of new propane equipment, including irrigation engines, grain dryers, flame weed control systems, premium generators, and agricultural heating systems.

“Over the years, the Propane Farm Incentive Program has become an extremely valuable asset for evaluating the productivity and efficiency of new propane equipment,” said Cinch Munson, PERC’s director of agriculture business development. “There’s no substitution to the value of real-world data from farmers using the equipment firsthand to power their own farms. In today’s farm economy, propane-powered equipment has proven to be a good option for producers who are looking to improve their bottom line by using top quality equipment that saves them money.”

Munson was at the recent Farm Progress show checking out the propane-powered equipment on hand and he stopped by for an interview about the incentive program and what’s new in propane. Interview with Cinch Munson, PERC

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by

Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, PERC, Propane

Bobby Likis Spotlights @ProtecFuel

Cindy Zimmerman September 12, 2016

Protec Fuel CEO Todd Garner was a guest on the nationally syndicated car-talk program “Bobby Likis Car Clinic” this past weekend to talk about what they are doing to get higher ethanol blends in the market place.

Since 2006, Protec Fuel has specialized in turn-key solutions for building blender pump infrastructure – from site selection to marketing after build to long-term pricing to save retailers and consumers money.

“Increased numbers of outlets pumping higher blends of ethanol enable station operators to offer their customers a higher-octane, cleaner-burning fuel at a lower price,” said Likis. “I want the drivers in the Car Clinic audience to be fully informed about the advantages of fuel with higher ethanol blends and the necessity of expanding that availability.”

Watch the full interview here.

blends, Protec Fuel, RFA

REG Repays GoZone Bonds Ahead of Schedule

Joanna Schroeder September 9, 2016

The Renewable Energy Group (REG) has paid off Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds valued at $100 million ahead of schedule. The bonds were issued to help finance construction of the company’s 75 million gallon per year renewable hydrocarbon diesel refinery located in Geismar, Louisiana and were provided by the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA).

In connection with payment in full, the company’s subsidiary, REG Geismar LLC, prepaid all amounts owing under its loan agreement with the LPFA. The redemption was funded through a drawing on a letter of credit issued to the bond trustee that was fully collateralized with cash prior to the redemption.

“We redeemed the GOZone bonds prior to maturity with restricted cash to reduce our long-term debt and to eliminate costs associated with the bonds,” noted Chad Stone, REG chief financial officer.

REG acquired the Geismar biorefinery in June 2014. In addition to renewable hydrocarbon diesel, the plant produces renewable naphtha and renewable LPG.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, REG

New Holland Reveals Prototype Propane Tractor

Joanna Schroeder September 9, 2016

For ten years, New Holland’s brand position has been as a Clean Energy Leader and the company didn’t disappoint at this year’s Farm Progress Show with the launch of the third-generation Alternative Fuels Tractor prototype that is powered by propane autogas. I got all the details about the cutting-edge tractor from New Holland’s Mike Cornman who said the concept tractor can also be adapted to run on bio-propane, bio-methane or methane itself. Cornman said they decided on propane as the preferred alternative fuel, in part, because of some of its advantages.

One key factor when you compare a tractor burning propane versus a tractor burning diesel, says Cornman, includes a 20 to 40 percent savings on fuel costs per year. “It’s also producing up to 80 percent less pollutants up in the atmosphere with propane versus diesel. So it really fits well with us being the clean energy leader standpoint while being able to provide a benefit to the operators utilizing propane rather than diesel.”

New Holland’s baseline tractors are the T-6 series tractors and when they compare diesel versus propane, they found very similar performance in terms of horsepower and engine torque. The company has provided several customer clinics where they have conducted various exercises that included pooling, front end loader use, among others, and found that the propane powered tractor performed just as well as compared to a tractor fueled by diesel. “So there’s no real sacrifices that an operator would be giving up in purchasing a propane tractor over diesel,” Cornman adds.

I asked Cornman how a grower would fill the Alternative Fuels Tractor knowing that many growers have propane tanks on their farms for use in other capacities. He explained that one challenge of the propane concept tractor is that it takes more space for the propane autogas, i.e. the tractor needs a larger fuel tank. So New Holland designed a fitted tank to carry the propane. In addition, Cornman says the fill technology has evolved to a quick-fill type nozzle making it easy for the operator to re-fill the tank with propane.

Cornman said that moving forward New Holland will hold several more customer clinics to get additional feedback and they will also assess market opportunities. He also says that growers interested in the propane autogas powered tractor can call their local dealer for more information. And while there is no set date on commercialization, Cornman anticipates the Alternative Fuels Tractor will go into production in the near future.

Learn more about New Holland’s Alternative Fuels Tractor concept by listening to my interview with Mike Cornman: Interview with New Holland's Mike Cornman on Propane Tractor

New Holland 2016 Farm Progress Photo Album

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Alternative energy, Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, New Holland, Propane

Biodiesel will Help California Reach Climate Goals

Cindy Zimmerman September 9, 2016

California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill this week which require the state to cut emissions at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and biodiesel is part of the plan to make that happen.

“The bill will ensure that the future of low carbon fuels in California remains bright,” said National Biodiesel Board Director of State Governmental Affairs Shelby Neal. “Biodiesel and renewable diesel are leading credit generators under the low carbon fuel standard and we expect their presence to continue growing with the expansion of this landmark policy.”

California is expected to meet or exceed the current target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, as established in the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The new 2030 requirement will help make it possible to reach the ultimate goal of reducing emissions 80 percent under 1990 levels by 2050.

Biodiesel, NBB

MN Congressman Gets #Ethanol Education

Joanna Schroeder September 9, 2016

Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN) recently spent some time learning more about ethanol production and its benefits to Minnesota and the country. He met with the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, and during the meeting learned about the latest ethanol technologies along with hearing about some of the challenges facing the state’s ethanol industry and the entire industry.

“Minnesota and America’s heartland are prime locations for several emerging technologies that provide renewable energy, like ethanol, and reduce our foreign dependence on oil,” commented Rep. Emmer after his meeting. “Congress needs to remove bureaucratic barriers to competition and give consumers the freedom to choose what’s best for them. What’s good for Minnesota is good for the country and this is one way to benefit our great nation.”

Rep. Emmer also learned about the importance of the ethanol industry to the state’s economy. Today Minnesota is the fourth largest ethanol producer in the U.S., and according to a recent economic study conducted by ABF Economics, the state’s ethanol industry generated $7.37 billion in gross sales for the state in 2015.

“We’d like to thank Congressman Emmer for meeting with us to better understand Minnesota’s ethanol industry and his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association Executive Director Tim Rudnicki. “Thanks to the RFS, the ethanol industry contributed $2 billion to Minnesota’s economy last year and supported over 18,000 jobs in the state.“

biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

EcoEngineers’ Ramm Talks Technology Innovation

Joanna Schroeder September 8, 2016

On the left, Jeff Roskam from Syngenta speaks with EcoEngineer’s Jim Ramm during the 2016 ACE Ethanol Conference.

There were many interesting panel discussions during the recent Ethanol Conference hosted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). One breakout session entitled, “Technology Innovation: Kernel Fiber Leads the Way to Cellulosic Biofuel,” featured the emergence of cellulosic ethanol being produced from the corn kernel fiber. Two companies leading they way in this are Quad County Corn Processors and Edeniq. Also on the panel was Jim Ramm, founding partner/senior engineer, EcoEngineers, who led a discussion on regulatory requirements for co-processing and whose company introduced a compliance management platform designed specifically to automate the complexity of kernel fiber compliance.

I asked Ramm what some of the key messages were that he delivered during the panel discussion. He said that ethanol has an opportunity in front of them to diversify to producing D3 cellulosic credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) from the corn kernel fiber. These pathways are existing through the EPA since RFS2 came out in August in 2014.

EcoEngineers, said Ramm, has worked and is continuing to work with biofuel producers such as Quad County Corn Processors, Edeniq and ICM, to name a few, who are leading the development of kernel fiber to cellulosic ethanol. “We are working on the compliance, the quality programs, the RIN generation [Renewable Identification Number] protocols to allow that to happen in a good way,” Ramm explained.

He said that one of the things they are providing for the co-processing, which is the Edeniq process, is a compliance database to keep up with all the record keeping requirements and the coordination requirements between the technology provider, the producer, the laboratory, RIN generator and quality providers. “So we’re setting up a database for those five parties to work together generate those D3 RINS.” Ramm added.

To learn more about kernel fiber cellulosic ethanol and EcoEngineers role in compliance, listen to my interview with Jim Ramm: Interview with Jim Ramm, EcoEngineers

2016 ACE Annual Ethanol Conference Photo Album

ACE Ethanol Conference, advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, RINS

New Holland’s Big Baler for Big #Biomass Energy

Joanna Schroeder September 8, 2016

Several years ago the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published the Billion Ton biomass report and recently made an updated version available. The study shows that there is more than 1 billion tons of biomass available to be used for bio-products including biofuels. For many years, New Holland has been committed to growers who harvest biomass and when the biofuel industry was getting ready to make the move to cellulosic ethanol, New Holland was ready to go with their biomass baler equipment including the BigBaler. To learn more about the company’s technological evolution in the biomass space, I spoke with Jarrod Angstadt during the 2016 Farm Progress Show.

Angstadt said New Holland has been a leader in hay harvesting technology for many, many years. But 10 years ago they launched a Clean Energy Leader initiative and their equipment has evolved to meet the needs of growers as the market changes. “It’s really exciting because there are a lot of opportunities out there and where this is going to go exactly is still the unknown and it’s really, really exciting for us,” says Angstadt.

I asked Angstadt how the feedback has been from growers who are using the BigBaler to harvest corn stover and he says the feedback has been very positive. He adds, though, that baling a crop like corn stover is harder to crop than say a crop like alfalfa or hay. So New Holland “beefed up” the equipment specifically for hardier crops and the results have been great. The BigBaler is working well in the fields. And with some additional add-ons, the BigBaler can be used for crops like miscanthus and corn stover and still harvest forage crops.

Yet creating high-performance, long-lasting ag equipment is not only what New Holland is doing for the biofuels industry. They are the first and only company to come on board with Growth Energy to support American Ethanol. Angstadt adds, “We’re really proud of it. Going back to the clean energy leader strategy and our brand position and who we want to be, it made perfect sense. It made the growers understand we really care about them, our customer and we get that this affects them and ethanol is important to them so it’s important to us.”

Learn more about New Holland’s BigBaler by listening to my interview with Jarrod Angstadt: Interview with New Holland's Jarrod Angstadt on the BigBaler

New Holland 2016 Farm Progress Photo Album

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

advanced biofuels, Audio, biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show, New Holland

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder September 8, 2016

Gevo has announced that it has entered into a heads of agreement with Deutsche Lufthansa AG to supply Gevo’s alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) from its first commercial hydrocarbons facility, intended to be built in Luverne, MN. The terms of the agreement contemplate Lufthansa purchasing up to 8 million gallons per year of ATJ from Gevo, or up to 40 million gallons over the 5 year life of the off-take agreement.
Virent and Tesoro have announced that they have reached an agreement for Tesoro to become Virent’s new strategic owner. The acquisition will support the scale up and commercialization of Virent’s BioForming® technology for the production of low carbon bio-based fuels and chemicals. As a result of the acquisition, Virent will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Tesoro and remain in Madison, Wisconsin.
Alliance BioEnergy Plus has released the results from months of testing and data collection on dozens of lignocellulose feedstocks utilizing the patented CTS conversion process. Corn stover, sugar cane bagasse, various grasses, hard and soft woods, landscape waste, agricultural waste and specialty plants were all put through the CTS system. The C5 and C6 sugars were recovered, solubilized and fermented into alcohols while the pure lignin was separated and collected. Extensive data on energy consumption, recycling, recovery rates, processing times and overall economics have been compiled.

Bioenergy Bytes

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